Hybrid air boost vehicle and method for making same
OwnerMichael F. Lebaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid air boost vehicle makes use of the porous panels and suction devices of a vehicle aerodynamic drag reduction system, and makes use of the air consumed by such a system, to provide the energy and air to power a land or water based ground effects vehicle. Energy and air consumed by the suction system, and normally wasted, is recycled by providing an air cushion to partially support the vehicle. The entire hybrid air boost vehicle system is more efficient than either a drag reduction system or a ground effects vehicle alone, and the benefits of both are realized, as well as benefits unique to the hybrid vehicle.
Claims13
A surface effects conveyance comprising:
- a vehicle;
- means for reducing aerodynamic drag on the vehicle, which comprises a perforated boundary layer suction panel attached to the vehicle, and means for producing suction, configured for suctioning air through the perforated boundary layer suction panel;
- and
- means for applying a lifting force to the vehicle, which is operatively connected to the means for reducing aerodynamic drag on the vehicle through shared use of hardware, energy, and air.
A method for making a surface effects conveyance, which comprises the steps of:
- attaching a perforated panel to a vehicle to improve its aerodynamic contour;
- sealably attaching a skirt to a lower perimeter of the vehicle, such that the skirt is configured to substantially surround the lower perimeter of the vehicle and the surface below the vehicle, the skirt extending downwardly from the lower perimeter of the vehicle to a surface below the vehicle, such that air can be substantially contained by an underside of the vehicle;
- suctioning air through the perforated panel to reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle;
- transferring the air suctioned through the perforated panel to a volume substantially enclosed by an underside of the vehicle, the sealably attached skirt substantially surrounding a lower perimeter of the vehicle, and a surface below the vehicle, to create a cushion of air within the substantially enclosed volume, configured to apply a force to the underside of the vehicle at least sufficient to partially lift the vehicle;
- and
- controlling the transfer of air suctioned through the perforated panel to the substantially enclosed volume, such that a force applied to the underside of the vehicle by the cushion of air may be modified as desired.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.